1975
- March 31, Dial-A-Ride starts in Gaithersburg with 8 buses. On April 14, Silver Spring starts with 12 buses. - The fare is 25 cents.  

1976
- Dial-A-Ride discontinued. Gaithersburg starts fixed-route non-rush hour service.

1977  
- Annual ridership approaches 2 million riders.

1978  
- Silver Spring Metro Station opens. Service increases from 14 to 53 peak-hour vehicles.  
- Gaithersburg starts rush hour peak service, increasing buses from 5 to 8.  
- Service cuts in Silver Spring early in the year due to mechanical problems with "light-duty" buses.  
- Silver Spring Ride On gets first “transit” buses.  

1980  
- First fare increase from 25 cents to 35 cents.  
- First service to Germantown.  
- Oil embargo of late 1979 and 1980 and Silver Spring Metro opening results in doubling ridership on some routes.  

1981  
- Fare increase in January to 45 cents; in December to 50 cents.  
- Gaithersburg Ride On expansion continues.  
- First service to Rockville Montgomery College.  

1982  
- Fare increases in December to 60 cents.  
- Ridership drops for the first time from 7.2 to 7.1 million riders as oil embargo ends.  

1983  
- First service to downtown Rockville.  

1984  
- Partial service into Bethesda/Friendship Heights areas starts in May. Metro stations open in August as far as Grosvenor.  

1985  
- In January, full service into all Red Line stations and Montgomery Mall following the opening of Shady Grove Metro station in December 1984.  

1986  
- Service starts to Damascus and Urbana from Shady Grove. Germantown and Montgomery Village express service starts.  
- Ridership tops 10 million a year.  

1987  
- Introduction of All-Day Transfer for $1.  

1988  
- Fare increase to 75 cents during peak hours. Remains 60 cents off-peak.  

1990  
- Wheaton and Forest Glen stations open.  
- Fare increases to 85 cents.  
- Ride On begins to equip buses with wheelchair lifts.  

1991  
- Fare increases to $1 during peak hours.  

1994  
- Operating 70 routes with 216 large County-owned buses and 40 smaller contractor buses.  

1995  
- Ride On’s 20th Anniversary: Expecting our 200 millionth customer.  

1996  
- Ride On adds Compressed Natural Gas buses to its fleet.  
- Central Communications moves into the Transportation Management Center.  

1997  
- Ride On increases peak hour fare to $1.10.  
- Ride On equips its buses with bike racks.  
- Automated Vehicle Locators equipped on some buses.  

1998  
- Ride On introduces express bus service from Milestone to Bethesda.  
- Electronic schedule signs added to four bus stop locations in the County.  
- Glenmont Metro station opened.  

1999  
- Ride On participates in regional fare structure—one fare from Montgomery County to Northern Virginia.  
- Expanded hours for 8 routes for Access to Jobs; now provides 22-hour service on parts of the Ride On system.  

2000  
- Ride On celebrates 25 years and introduces **“Kids Ride FREE”** initiative from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Ride On extRa
- October 2, 2017: Launched as a limited-stop service along Maryland Route 355, Ride On extRa operates between Lakeforest Transit Center and Medical Center Metro Station. This service offers amenities like free Wi-Fi and USB charging ports to enhance the passenger experience.

Ride On Flex
- June 26, 2019: Introduced as an on-demand bus service, Ride On Flex serves areas including Rockville, Glenmont, and Wheaton. Utilizing 11-passenger cutaway buses, passengers can request rides through a dedicated app, offering flexibility and convenience.

Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
- October 14, 2020: The Flash BRT network commenced operations between Silver Spring and Burtonsville along U.S. Route 29. Designed to provide faster and more efficient service, Flash features dedicated stops with prepayment options and operates using articulated buses equipped with modern amenities.

The Ride On Reimagined Study was a comprehensive, forward-looking assessment of the bus network that resulted in significant recommended changes to how transit operates in Montgomery County based on current and future needs. This study took an in-depth look at Montgomery County's existing and planned transit systems, including Metrobus services that operate within the County limits and the future Purple Line. The study  provided an opportunity to guide the future direction of Ride On through data analysis and community engagement. The study had the primary goal of recommending system-wide changes that address the current and future needs of the community it serves for both Ride On and Metrobus services.

The study examined the current conditions and the anticipated future of Ride On's service area. The study engaged community leaders, activists, transit riders, and support organizations to gather feedback. An evaluation was conducted to assess route structure, connectivity, span, and frequency of service through market research analysis, review of land use development, and anticipated technology advancements. The study also addressed the County's priorities to improve racial equity and prevent climate change. The image of transit services is important to attract riders. Therefore, an evaluation of Ride On's branding was examined. In conclusion, the study set the framework for a plan with recommendations and implementation strategies that best align with the transportation goals of Montgomery County.

The Final Report outlines the process of developing the service and implementation plan—an in-depth and comprehensive review of transit—for Ride On Reimagined in Montgomery County. Ride On currently operates over 80 routes, many of which have been unchanged since their implementation in the 1970’s, making this redesign a vital process to better align with the current needs of Montgomery County’s riders. The service and implementation plan is the product of several intermediate steps, including the development of the draft and final network, public review and input, and coordination with Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) on their redesign efforts impacting Montgomery County. The plan is divided into phases that align with benefit and cost scenarios. Implementation is dependent on numerous operational, financial, and market conditions.

The Ride On Reimagined Service and Implementation Plan is the culmination of over two years of research, planning, coordination, and development that examined the transit landscape of Montgomery County, Maryland, including Ride On and Metrobus service. The comprehensive and forward-looking study analyzed existing market conditions, transit use, and public feedback from various channels to best plan for a sustainable, equitable transit network to promote safe mobility and economic opportunities.

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